Foldable bed frame structure



May 12, 1970 M. P. spin 3,510,887

FOLDABLE BED FRAME STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 11, 1967 United States Patent O 3,510,887 FOLDABLE BED FRAME STRUCTURE Melvin P. Spitz, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Bedline Mfg. Co., Bell Gardens, Calif.,

a partnership Filed Dec. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 689,420 Int. Cl. A47c 23/ 06 U.S. Cl. -176 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A foldable bed frame having a channel side rail and swingably connected crossbar of angle section with one end extending through a cutout in the bottom of a transverse short channel section with one leg underlying one flange of the channel section :and the other leg being rigidly connected to a deected portion of the bottom of the section or by an angle member, which may be a part of a supporting leg structure, riveted to both the bottom of the channel section and the angle section. A pivot pin extends through the anges of the channel side rail, the anges of the transverse channel section, and one leg of the angle crossbar so as to swingably mount the crossbar for movement to an extended position of use with the flanges of the side rail .and the transverse channel in overlapped nested relation, and a folded position of non-use with the flanges on the transverse section at an angle to the side rail flanges, the flanges of the transverse section having notches for interlocking with a second pin on the side rail at the use position of the crossbar. Olfset box n spring retaining clips are movably mounted on the side rails and adjustably positionably therealong by means of side rail embracing elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to beds generally, and to bed frame constructions specifically.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over the bed frame structure as shown in US. Letters Patent of Martin Hyman Nol. 2,978,711, issued Apr. 1l, 1961. This patent shows a folding bed frome structure comprising a leg and frame assembly having an extremelyl high order of strength, wherein the leg, frame crossbar, and clip member are xedly secured together as a unit and pivotallymounted on a frame side rail for pivotal swinging movement into and out of a position of use, means being provided in the position of use for releasably interconnecting the clip and side rail in such a way as to provide great and increased rigidity in the position of use.

In this patent, the side rail comprised an angle bar in which one leg is :at right angles to the other leg. The crossbar was also constructed from an angle bar so that when the crossbar and side rail were pivotally connected, a single clip was utilized. In the present invention, it is proposed to retain the advantages of utilizing a crossbar of angle cross section, but connect this bar to a side rail constructed of a channel member, and utilize in the con necting means a double clip arrangement which will vertically reinforce and strengthen the pivotal connection, and yet permit the use of the side rail in a position inwardly offset or spaced from the adjacent outer edge of the box spring structure and an associated mattress. Instead of utilizing one of the :angle legs of the side rail for engaging the box spring edge, as shown in the Hyman patent, the present invention, utilizes an unique box spring clip which is adjustably attached to one of the side rail flanges in a manner to permit its being moved along the rail to a desired position of adjustment.

The present invention has the further advantage over ICC the disclosure in the Hyman patent in that in the patent struct-ure, the leg assembly was of necessity required to be mounted on the crossbar, in which position it provided increased strength to the pivotal connection. In the present invention, the construction at the pivotal connection utilizes a clip arrangement which enables mounting of the supporting leg on the crossbar in one arrangement, while in another arrangement the leg structure may be mounted on the side rail, if desired. In either event, the strength and rigidity of the pivotal connection will be maintained by virtue of its unique construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to bed frame structures, and is more specifically concerned with improvements therein which permit folding of the portions of the frame structure.

It is one object of the herein described invention to provide a bed frame structure of the forldable type which embodies the advantage of utilizing side rails composed of channel members, while at the same time utilizing crossbars constructed of angle members, which is susceptible of economical fabrication; which incorporates an assembly having an extremely high order of strength; and which permits the side rails to be inwardly odset from the outer edges of the box spring supported thereon. The attainment of this object results in a Imore pleasing appeal'- ance of the side rails and produces a structure which may be more speedily and easily assembled. The flexibility of width adjustability is obtained with the angle members of the crossbars, since these members nest together in` a manner which permits the use of clamps rather than bolts and nuts. The clamp enables .a iineness of adjustment which is not possible with bolts which are restricted to limiting hole or slot arrangements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved pivotal connection between a channel side rail and a crossbar having an angular section, wherein the crossbar is provided with a short transversely extending channel section having its flanges arranged to nest with the flanges of the side rail in such a way Ias to strengthen the pivot connection and limit pivotal movement of the crossbar between its extended position of use and a folded position of non-use.

Another object resides in the manner in which the channel section is connected with the crossbar to provide a double clip connection member of great strength, the bottom bridging portion of the channel section having a cutout for receiving the end of the crossbar in relation to provide a corner structure within which either a leg member may be secured to further strengthen the structure, or in which an integrally formed portion of the channel section bottom is connected with the crossbar.

Another object resides in the provision of a unique pivotal connection between a channel side rail and crossbar of angular Icross section, which includes a double clip wherein the crossbar and Side rail are locked together in rigid nested relation to provide an unusually high degree of rigidity for opposing twisting and torque forces resulting from utilizing offset swivelling casters, or from pressures that may be applied.

Still another object is to provide a unique bracket for positioning and locking the supported box springs with respect to the bed frame side rails, this bracket having a unique construction whereby it may be removably clipped to the side rail and supported thereon for adjustable positioning therealong.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specication, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.

3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the accompanying drawings which are for illustrative purposes only;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed frame structure embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the details of the pivotal connection between a bed side rail and associated crossbar according to the present invention, the crossbar being shown in an intermediate position of adjustment;

FIG. 3 is a similar view of a modified structure; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a box spring retaining clip according to the present invention, and the manner in which it is attached to the bed frame side rail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes, a bed frame embodying the present invention is disclosed in FIG. l as comprising left and right assemblies as indicated generally at A and B. These assemblies are constructed as separate units and arranged to be interconnected to form a complete bed frame structure.

The assemblies when interconnected cooperate to provide a pair of spaced side rails a and 10b of generally U-shaped channel section, each having an upper ilange 11 and lower flange 12. The side rails are arranged in confronting relation with the channels opening towards each other, and are interconnected by end crossbars 13 and 14 fabricated from angle members. Each crossbar is composed of a pair of interconnected sections which are respectively associated with the left and right assemblies. For example, the crossbar 13 includes a section 13a associated with assembly A, and a section 13b associated with assembly B. In the same manner, the crossbar 14 is composed of sections 14a and 14b.

The two sections of each crossbar are arranged to be secured together by means of a screw clamp 15 of conventional construction. The clamp consists of a metal strap 16 having inwardly bent ends adapted to embrace the outer surfaces of the flanges of the overlapped and nested sections of the crossbar, and secured in connected position by means of a retaining screw 17 in a well known conventional manner.

The bed frame structure as formed by the connected assemblies A and B is supported in an elevated position by means of similarly constructed supporting leg assemblies 18 which are positioned generally at the corners of the bed frame structure, and may if desired include in each case a caster 19. The leg assemblies may be associated with the respective sections of the crossbars, as shown, or may be mounted directly upon the adjacent side rail end portions.

Adjustable clips 20, as will subsequently be described in detail, are carried by the respective side rails for lockingly positioning and retaining a box spring structure supported on the bed frame structure of the present invention.

A main feature of the herein described invention resides in the manner in which each of the crossbar sections 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b are pivotally connected to its associated side rail. In each case the connection is effected by means of a unique double clip structure as generally indicated by the numeral 21. The clip structure is the same in each case, and for purposes of description the structural details will be discussed with reference to the connection between the crossbar section 13a and side rail 10a, asbest shown in FIG. 2.

The crossbar section 13a is disposed with one leg 22 uppermost and in a position having parallel relation with respect to the ilange 11 of the side rail 10a, while the other leg 23 of the crossbar extends in right-angled rela- 4 tion and faces outwardly with respect to the complete frame structure.

At the end of the crossbar 13a, which is connected with the side rail, the crossbar is secured to a short U- shaped channel section 24 having upper and lower flanges 25 and 26 respectively which extend from a bottom bridging portion 27. At one end of the bottom portion, the material is cut out to provide an opening 28 through which the end portion of the crossbar 13a extends with the leg 22 underlying the llange 25, and the leg 23 extending at an angle of to the remaining bottom portion 27. Thus, the channel section extends transversely to the crossbar and is positioned with its open side facing outwardly towards the open side of the channel forming the side rail 10a. The crossbar is pivotally mounted to the side rail by means of a pivot pin 29 which extends through the flange 11 of the side rail, the adjacent corners of the ilange 25 and leg 22, the leg 26 and tlange 12 of the side rail. As thus arranged, the flanges 25 and 26 are adapted to nest inside the side rail flanges 11 and 12, when the crossbar is swung from a folded position extending generally alongside the associated side rail, to an extended right-angled position of use.

The double clip connection thus formed is releasably lockingly retained in the use position of the crossbar by providing edge notches 30 and 31 respectively in the llanges 25 and 26 which are adapted to receive therein a pin member 32 mounted in spaced relation to the pin 29 on the side rail and having portions extending between the flanges 11 and 12 thereof. With the pivotal mounting just described, there is provided an extremely strong pivotal connection, which utilizes a double clip that serves to secure the crossbar at vertically spaced points to the side rail flanges, and thus oppose twisting torque forces which may be created in the crossbar. The movement of the pin 32 into the edge notches 30 and 31 also limits the swinging movement of the crossbar at its use position.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the leg assembly is shown as being mounted at the pivoted end of the crossbar. Advantage is taken of the leg assembly structure to reinforce the connection of the channel section 24 with the crossbar 13a. For example, the leg assembly is provided with wing portions 33 and 34 which are integrally formed in right-angled relation. These wing portions are utilized in this embodiment as a corner bracket in the angle between the crossbar and the bottom bridging portion 27, the wing portion 33 being secured to the bottom bridging portion as by rivets 35-35 and the wing portion 34 being secured to the leg 23 as by rivets 36-36.

There are times when it may be desired to support the leg assemblies on the side rail structures, rather than upon the crossbars. In such cases, where the wing portions of the leg assemblies are not available to form a corner bracket as shown in FIG. 2, a modied structure is used as shown in FIG. 3. In this modified structure, the cutout 28 is formed by cutting the bottom portion material at the inner edges of the flanges 25 and 26 and then detlectng the bottom portion as indicated by the numeral 27 to form an integral projecting arm portion 37 which is in this case connected by rivets 36'36 to the leg 23 of the crossbar 13a. The channel section and crossbar are thus additionally reinforced in this modification in the corner angle between the bottom portion 27 and the leg 23 of the crossbar. The modied arrangement of FIG. 3 operates and functions in the same manner as that described and disclosed in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing description, it will appear that the present invention utilizes the pleasing appearance of channel side rails along with the angle members of the crossbars to provide an exceptionally strong bed structure in which the upper leg 22 of the crossbar and upper flanges of the side rails lie substantially in a common plane to form a support for an associated box spring which permits tlexibility of width adjustment and the positioning of the box spring in overhanging relation to the side rails. The use of angle sections in the crossbars is particularly advantageous since they provide strong stiif structures particularly needed for bedding of larger size such as kingsize and queen-size.

The retaining clips for adustable association with the respective side rails comprises a structure as shown in FIG. 4. As there disclosed, the clip embodies an elongate member formed from a flat material to have a generally iiat section 38 extending between its opposite ends. At one end of the section, there is provided an integral right-angled extension 39, and at the other end a hooklike extension `40 having a direction generally opposed to that of the right-angled extension 39. A portion of the material in the at section 38 is struck out so as to provide an integral attached projecting tongue 41 extending to the same side of the fiat section 38 as the hook-like extension 40. The retaining clip is attached to an associated side rail by placing the iiat section 38 in surface engagement with the upper ilange 11 with the hook-like extension 40 embracing the inner edge of the ange, and the tongue 41 engaging the outer side of the rail against the channel bottom portion. As thus mounted, the clip is releasably attached to the rail and may be adustably moved lengthwise of the rail so as to place the clip in any desired position therealong. It will, of course, be evident that when the box spring is positioned on top of the rail, the extension 39 will engage the lateral edge of the box spring structure, and the clip will be held against removal from the rail by the weight of the box spring structure.

From the foregoing description and drawings, it will be clearly evident that the delineated objects and features if the invention will be accomplished.

Various modications may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a folding bed frame:

(a) a side rail of generally U-shaped channel section having spaced side anges;

(b) an elongate crossbar;

(c) a clip structure including spaced plate members rigidly connected Iwith and positioned on opposite sides of an end portion of the crossbar, said plate members having projecting portions extending laterally of the connected end portion; and

(d) means pivotally connecting said crossbar with said side rail for swinging movements between a folded non-use position and extended use position, said means including a pin extending between said side anges and passing through said plate members at a position such that, in the use position of the crossbar the side flanges and plate members will be in nested overlapped relation with the projecting portions resisting twisting of said end portion, and in the non-use position the plate members will extend from said pin at an angle to the side flanges.

2. A bed frame according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portions limit the swinging movement of the crossbar at its extended position of use.

3. A bed frame according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the projecting portions has an edge notch for interlocking engagement, inthe position of use of said crossbar, with a second pin member spaced from the first mentioned pin and extending into the space between said side anges.

4. A bed frame according to claim 1, wherein the pin also passes through an end portion of the crossbar.

45. A bed frame according to claim 1, wherein the plate members are positioned inwardly between the side flanges.

6. A bed frame according to claim 1, wherein the plate members comprise the anges of a short transverse channel section having a bottom cutout, and the crossbar is an angle member having an end extending through the cutout, and including means rigidly connecting one leg of the angle member and the bottom of the channel section in right-angled relation.

7. A bed frame according to claim 6, wherein the means connecting the angle member crossbar and transverse channel section includes an integrally formed portion projecting from the bottom of the channel section.

8. A bed frame according to claim `6, wherein the means connecting the angle member crossbar and transverse channel section includes right-angularly extending wing portions of a frame supporting leg.

9. In a bed frame having a side rail with an upper flange providing a support for a box spring adapted to project laterally outwardly therebeyond, a box spring locating and retaining clip, comprinsing:

(a) an elongate member adapted to extend transversely of the upper flange of the side rail and being formed with a section between its ends adapted to extend under an associated box spring and into face engagement with the confronting surface of the flange, said section being of a length to project beyond the outer edge of the rail flange;

(b) a right-angled extension at one end of the section adapted to project above the side rail ange and provide a spring engaged abutment outwardly beyond the side rail; and

(c) means carried by said clip for clampingly embracing the side rail at the opposite sides of said upper flange.

10. The invention according to claim 9, wherein the means for embracing the side rail includes a hook-like extension extending transversely of the other end of said section adapted to engage the inner edge of the rail flange.

11. The invention according to claim 10, wherein said section has a projection extending in the opposite direction from said right-angled extension adapted to bear against the side rail at the outer edge of said flange.

12. A box spring locating and retaining clip for a bed frame side rail, comprising:

(a) an elongate member formed from a tlat material with a generally iiat section extending between its opposite ends;

(b) a right-angled extension at one end of the section;

(c) a hook-like extension at the opposite end of the section having a direction generally opposed to that of the right-angled extension;

(d) and a projecting tongue adjacent said one end extending to the same side of said flat section as said hook-like extension and cooperating therewith to removably and adjustably connect the clip to an associated side rail.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,116,495 1/1964 Cross 5-238 XR 3,123,837 3/1964 Paine et al. 5--310 XR 3,329,975 7/ 1967 Hooker` 5-176 XR BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X-R. 5-243 8 

